Dental Hygiene. Application Packet & Admissions Information

Transcription

1 Dental Hygiene Application Packet & Admissions Information Students interested in the Dental Hygiene program are encouraged to call the Dental Hygiene Department with any questions regarding their admission application prior to submission of the application. This packet is updated annually and students are asked to request the most recent update and Catalog.

2 DENTAL HYGIENE PROGRAM GENERAL INFORMATION Registered Dental Hygienists are licensed professional oral clinicians and educators, who provide dental health education, prevent and treat oral disease, promote and encourage the preventive aspects of dental care, and assume responsibility for patient care in the dental office. They provide a variety of services to the patient including comprehensive examination of the oral cavity, radiographs, prophylaxis, fluoride treatments, patient education and preventive services to the patient. They are required to take written and clinical examinations before they are allowed to practice. Dental Hygienists are integral members of the dental team who use their dental, clinical and social sciences to aid individuals in achieving optimum oral health. Besides working in a private dental practice, Dental Hygienists also work as educators, administrators and researchers. The Dental Hygiene program is a 70-week program consisting of seven (7) ten (10) week terms. Classes are Monday through Friday and at this time are only offered as day classes; however, in Terms VI and VII clinical hours will be longer. Graduating students will receive either an Associate of Applied Science degree, Associate in Science or an Associate of Science degree (depending on campus location). *Please note that make-up hours might take place on weekends.* WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DENTAL HYGIENISTS Who is the Dental Hygienist? Registered Dental Hygienists provide dental health education, prevent and treat oral disease, promote and encourage the preventive aspects of dental care, and assume responsibility for patient care in the dental office. They are graduates of dental hygiene education programs in community colleges, colleges, and universities. They are required to take written and clinical examinations before they are allowed to practice. Besides working in a private dental practice, dental hygienists also work as educators, administrators and researchers. What Do Dental Hygienists Do? Each state has its own laws and the range of duties performed by Dental Hygienist differs from one state to another. As part of their responsibilities, the Dental Hygienist will perform certain health care assessments including reviewing patient health histories, oral cancer screening, dental charting, and taking blood pressure. They expose, process and interpret dental radiographs. Dental Hygienists remove soft and hard deposits both above and below the gum line. They teach patients proper techniques to maintain healthy gums and teeth. They counsel their patients about the importance of proper home care, regular dental visits and the importance of good nutrition. Where Do Dental Hygienists Work? Dental Hygienists work in a wide variety of settings. The majority of them work in private offices / clinics. Hygienists also work as educators, researchers, administrators, sales managers, product representatives, and consultants. Consequently, you may find Dental Hygienists in hospitals, schools, correctional institutions, veterinary offices and nursing homes. Page 2 of 17

3 Why A RDH? The RDH credential identifies the Dental Hygienist as a licensed oral health professional. It means Registered Dental Hygienist and indicates the hygienist has graduated from an accredited program and has successfully taken and passed both a written National Board, regional clinical examination and the state jurisprudence examination. PROGRAM MISSION The mission of the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene program is to provide a supportive learning environment where the student acquires the theoretical knowledge, technical skills and professional attributes necessary to qualify for licensure as a Registered Dental Hygienist and entry level employment as a Dental Hygienist. In addition, the program strives to instill in the student the importance of personal growth, professional commitment, community involvement, and continued research. This program prepares students to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS Admission to the Dental Hygiene program is selective. It is Concorde s goal to prepare graduates who are highly competent, ethical hygienists and who exhibit high standards of professionalism with patients. In order to achieve our program goals, admissions criteria has been established to evaluate applicants as to their suitability. Admissions requirements include: Proof of high school graduation or general equivalency diploma (GED), or a state-issued certificate. Successful completion of the following entrance examinations: - Wonderlic Scholastic Level Examination (SLE) -minimum required score of 20 - Health Education Systems, Inc. A2 (HESI) - minimum required score of 70. The HESI may only be scheduled after successful completion of the Wonderlic SLE. - HESI can be taken a second time, even if the first attempt was a passing score, to try to get a high score for point system purposes. However, the prospect must pay a re-take fee. Please see Business Office for fee details. Background check authorization (acceptable results must be received within first 5 days of program start) Admissions Committee Interviews ADMISSIONS PROCESS Once the applicant has met these basic entrance requirements (also outlined in the College Catalog), the applicant will enroll and be placed on a waitlist to be considered for one (1) of the twenty-four (24) seats available. Once the enrollment process is complete, the applicant will interview with a minimum of two (2) members of the Admissions Committee, one of which must be the Dental Hygiene Program Director. The selection process utilizes the Dental Hygiene Weighted Selection Point System. Please see the Dental Hygiene Weighted Selection Point System Scoring Sheet in this packet for how points are awarded. The twenty-four (24) applicants with the highest point total will be awarded a seat in the program. The next three highest scorers will be selected as alternate candidates. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents have been received in a timely fashion. Please utilize the attached admissions checklist when verifying that all documentation for application/admissions has been received by Concorde. Page 3 of 17

4 DENTAL HYGIENE WEIGHTED SELECTION POINT SYSTEM SCORING SHEET Applicant Name: Date: Experience: Dental/Allied Health Field LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE POINTS POINTS AWARDED VERIFIED 1-4 years dental experience* 1 5+ years dental experience* 2 Current CDA / RDA credential 3 Additional RDAEF credential 3 *Points will be awarded for either 1-4 years of dental experience or 5 or more years of dental experience; not both. Academics: General Education and Biological Science ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT POINTS POINTS AWARDED VERIFIED Anatomy and Physiology Lecture** 1 Anatomy and Physiology Lab** 1 Chemistry Lecture** 1 Chemistry Lab** 1 Microbiology Lecture** 1 Microbiology Lab** 1 Graduate of a Dental Assistant or other Allied Health 2 Student will be awarded one of the following three scores for the highest degree completed: Associate degree: 3 Bachelor degree: 4 Master degree: 5 Student will be awarded 1 of the following 4 scores for the number of points achieved above the minimum clinical entrance assessment score (HESI) 0 5 points above minimum score: points above minimum score: points above minimum score: 3 26 and more points above minimum score: 5 **Must be approved by Academic Dean for transfer credits for points to be awarded. Please refer to College Catalog for transfer credit requirements. Grade must be B or better within 5 years. Interview: Presentation (One Point Per Interviewer Up To 3 Points) OVERALL PRESENTATION POINTS COMMENT Professional attire Sincere desire to be trained for career opportunities Punctual for all appointments Consistent eye contact Reasonable assertiveness Effective communication skills Pleasant demeanor Appropriate responses Total Points Earned: (Max points = 29) Page 4 of 17

5 Dental Hygiene Admissions Process Steps Admissions Process The applicant meets with an Admissions Representative and tours the school. 1 At this appointment time, the applicant will take the Wonderlic SLE and Online Readiness Assessment exams. After successful completion of the Wonderlic, a time will be scheduled to take the HESI entrance assessment. During this initial appointment with the Admissions Representative, the applicant will also meet with a Financial Aid Officer who aids the applicant in developing a tentative plan for financing their education. 2 3 The applicant takes the HESI assessment exam. Upon successful completion, the applicant completes enrollment documents and is placed on the waitlist. HESI can be taken a second time, even if the first attempt was a passing score, to try to get a high score for point system purposes. However, the prospect must pay a re-take fee. Please see Business Office for fee details. The applicant requests transcripts from ALL institutions previously attended, including High School/GED transcripts. Note: ONLY Official Transcripts are accepted. 4 The Academic Dean reviews the transcripts for potential transfer credit Once the transfer credit evaluation is completed, the applicant then schedules an appointment with Financial Aid packaging. Applicant provides all documentation in support of requested points on the Weighted Selection Point System Scoring Sheet (transcripts, licenses, etc.) in a portfolio. Applicants with the top 40 scores on the HESI entrance test who have completed steps 1 6 will be contacted regarding interviews. Each applicant is interviewed by at least two (2) members of the Admissions Committee. 8 The entering class for the next start date is selected by the Admissions Committee. 9 Each applicant is notified by phone and mail (typically at least two weeks prior to the start) by the Program Director or Director of Admissions of their acceptance or denial. The acceptance letter requests that the applicant/student call the Program Director or Director of Admissions to accept the seat and is provided information regarding the date and time for orientation. Page 5 of 17

6 Dental Hygiene Admissions Checklist If applicable, the following documentation is needed to receive extra admissions scoring points. Proof of dental work experience form verifying 1-4 years or 5+ years. Proof of active/current CDA / RDA credentials copy of license Unopened sealed envelope with Official High School Transcripts. Official Transcripts can be mailed directly to Concorde or hand delivered. Unopened sealed envelope with Official College Transcripts. Official Transcripts can be mailed directly to Concorde or hand delivered. NOTE: course descriptions must be provided from prior College s catalog. To receive transfer credit must be B or better and completed in the last 5 years. Please refer to catalog. Will be verified by Academic Dean. Proof of graduating from an accredited Dental Assistant or other Allied Health program. Concorde will need a copy of the diploma or certificate. Proof of Associate, Bachelor or Master s Degree. Concorde will need an official transcript stating degree. Signed and dated Acknowledgement of Receipt of Bloodborne Pathogen Statement and Policy. Proof of dental work experience Signed and dated acknowledgement of receipt of Dental Hygiene Application Packet Make-up hours acknowledgement Online classes acknowledgement Page 6 of 17

7 Pre-Admission Interview Sample Questions 1. Tell me what you think an RDH does. 2. How long have you been considering the Dental Hygiene program? 3. What are your career goals? Personal education goals? 4. What kind of student do you think you were in high school? 5. What was your favorite subject in school? Least favorite? Why? 6. Will you need to work while in school? 7. Have you developed a plan to handle your daily personal and school expenses? Do you have a Plan B? 8. What is your understanding of your time commitment to this program? Hours of attendance? Study? 9. Do you have any difficulty in telling friends and family that you need time to study and must postpone leisure time and activities? 10. How do you handle stress? Give me an example of a stressful situation and how you handled it. Page 7 of 17

8 DENTAL OFFICE EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION FORM One of the criteria for consideration into the Dental Hygiene program at Concorde Career College is dental office experience. We feel that it is important for the applicant to be familiar with the dental office environment and the functions of the dental team. APPLICANT S NAME: Dear Dental Professional: If you have had an applicant work in your office, please complete the following information to verify the experience for their file. Thank you for your consideration. Dates of Employment Dental Office Contact Signature of Dentist Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Total Hours: This form is not valid if returned by the applicant. Please mail directly to: Concorde Career College 201 East Airport Drive, Suite A San Bernardino, CA Page 8 of 17

9 Bloodborne Pathogen Statement and Policy The Dental Hygiene clinic should be a safe place to provide and receive dental care. Recent information supports the conclusion that there is no significant risk of contracting bloodborne diseases through the provision of dental treatment when appropriate infection control procedures are followed. The American Dental Association (ADA) believes that it has the responsibility to articulate a clear position on issues related to bloodborne pathogens and diseases and to formulate policy based on current and generally accepted scientific knowledge and accepted moral, ethical and legal imperatives. Concorde Career College supports the ADA s position on bloodborne pathogens and disease. A key element of infection control is the concept of standard precautions as a means to reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission (e.g., the Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV], Hepatitis B Virus [HBV] and others) in healthcare settings. The principle behind precaution centers on the premise that medical history and exam cannot identify all patients infected with bloodborne pathogens. All patients, therefore, must be regarded as potentially infectious. Standard precautions require that infection control procedures (e.g., HBV vaccination, routine hand washing, use of protective barriers and care in the use and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments) are used for every patient. The Dental Hygiene clinic continues to adhere to current infection control recommendations as set forth by the ADA and the CDC. Patients infected with bloodborne pathogens can be safely treated in the dental setting. Current evidence indicates that there is no significant risk of contracting bloodborne diseases through the provision of dental treatment when precautions are followed. The practice of standard precautions is an effective means of reducing blood contacts that can result in bloodborne pathogen transmission. Concorde Career College requires students who may be at reasonable risk for infection to take advantage of the Hepatitis B vaccine, and other vaccines, to protect themselves and patients from infectious organisms. With regard to our Dental Hygiene students and Dental Assistant students, the American Dental Association supports having all allied dental education programs encourage the vaccination of students, faculty and staff against infectious organisms. Students, faculty and staff should be alert to signs and symptoms of bloodborne disease that may be identified during the provision of dental care. Patients with medical histories or conditions possibly indicative of infection should be referred to their physicians for diagnostic procedures, counseling and medical follow-up. Concorde believes that all patients infected with a bloodborne pathogen(s) should disclose their bloodborne pathogen status as part of their medical history; our students need to know every patient s medical history in order to make appropriate treatment decisions that are in the best interests of the patient. Concorde supports the ADA s decision that individuals infected with a bloodborne pathogen(s) should be treated with compassion and dignity and should have access to dental treatment. Treatment considerations should be based on current and generally accepted scientific knowledge. A Dental Hygiene student should not refuse to provide treatment, which is within the student s realm of competence solely because the patient is infected with a bloodborne pathogen. The ADA supports the right and responsibility of each dental professional to exercise his or her best professional judgment, based on current and generally accepted scientific knowledge and the ethics Page 9 of 17

10 of the profession, in all situations regarding when and how to treat and whether to refer each patient. Concorde also supports the ADA in this professional judgment decision. At Concorde we are familiar and compliant with current CDC post exposure protocols for the management of occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens and have established policies to ensure appropriate and efficient management of exposure incidents. Dental professionals are ethically obligated to safeguard the confidentiality of patient records and to maintain those records in a manner consistent with the protection of the welfare of the patient. This does not prevent sharing information about the patient s bloodborne pathogen status and medical condition with the patient s other healthcare providers when allowed by state or federal law. Practitioners infected with bloodborne pathogens can safely provide dental care, and bloodborne pathogen infection alone does not justify the limiting of professional duties or automatically mandate disclosure provided proper infection control procedures are implemented. Infected dental healthcare workers must practice in compliance with CDC or equivalent infection-control recommendations, as required by law. Current evidence indicates that there is no significant risk of contracting bloodborne diseases through dental treatment when standard precautions and recommended infection control procedures are routinely followed. Practicing standard precautions is an effective means of reducing blood contacts that can result in bloodborne pathogen transmission, minimizing even further the already low risk of disease transmission in the dental environment. All Dental Hygiene students are strongly urged to undergo personal evaluation and assess their need to determine their bloodborne pathogen status. Those students who believe they are at risk for bloodborne pathogen infection should regularly monitor their status. All healthcare workers testing positive for a bloodborne pathogen must practice only in strict compliance with the current infection-control recommendations of the CDC for infected providers as required by law. The high ethical standards of the dental hygiene profession establish the welfare of the patient as the Hygienist s primary ethical obligation. The healthcare provider must limit the activities of practice to those areas that do not endanger patients or other healthcare providers. All Dental Hygiene students regardless of their bloodborne pathogen status have an ethical obligation to immediately inform any patient they suspect may have been exposed to blood or other potentially infectious material in the Dental Hygiene clinic. Students must be aware of the need for post exposure evaluation and refer the patient to a qualified healthcare practitioner who can provide post exposure services. The ethical obligation in the event of an exposure incident extends to providing information concerning the student s own bloodborne pathogen status to the evaluating healthcare practitioner and submitting to testing that will assist in the evaluation of the patient. It is required that the student documents the actions they have taken in response to a patient s exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. Care should be taken not to include in the patient record confidential medical information about the student or faculty member, to avoid unauthorized disclosure of this information with the patient record. Dental education programs should incorporate these infection control programs in curriculum content and clinical activities. Concorde supports and addresses this recommendation. *Adapted from the ADA Bloodborne Pathogen, CDC guidelines and OSHA policy Page 10 of 17

11 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Bloodborne Pathogen Statement and Policy I have received a copy of Concorde Career College s Bloodborne Pathogen Statement and Policy. I understand that it is my responsibility to read the policies and ask questions of the dental faculty regarding any policy or other information that I do not understand. By signing this form I acknowledge that I received the policies and agree to ask questions of the dental faculty to clarify that which I do not understand. Name (print) Signature Date FOR OFFICE USE ONLY We attempted to obtain written acknowledgement of receipt of our Bloodborne Pathogen Statement and Policy, but acknowledgement could not be obtained because: Individual refused to sign Other (please specify) American Dental Association All Rights Reserved Page 11 of 17

12 Dental Hygiene Program Competencies The following will describe the abilities and attributes of a Dental Hygienist entering the profession. These statements are guidelines and have been used as a major factor in establishing the mission of the program, the goals of the program and the curriculum adopted by the program. These competencies ultimately influence our educational process at Concorde and are utilized as we develop, review, and assess our curriculum. Specific learning objectives within each course reflect the supporting behaviors and skills and coupled with course goals and assignments should provide the specific learning experiences by which our students develop and demonstrate the competencies. I. Core Competencies (CC) 1. Apply a professional code of ethics in all endeavors. 2. Adhere to state and federal laws, recommendations and regulations in the provision of dental hygiene care. 3. Provide dental hygiene care to promote patient/client health and wellness using critical thinking and problem solving in the provision of evidence-based practice. 4. Use evidence based decision making to evaluate and incorporate emerging treatment modalities. 5. Assume responsibility for dental hygiene actions and care based on accepted scientific theories and research as well as the accepted standard of care. 6. Continuously perform self-assessment for lifelong learning and professional growth. 7. Promote the profession through service activities and affiliations with professional organizations. 8. Provide quality assurance mechanisms for health services. 9. Communicate effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations both verbally and in writing. 10. Provide accurate, consistent, and complete documentation for assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of dental hygiene services. 11. Provide care to all clients using an individualized approach that is humane, empathetic, and caring. II. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) 1. Promote the values of oral and general health and wellness to the public and organizations within and outside the profession. 2. Respect the goals, values, beliefs, and preferences of the patient while promoting optimal oral and general health. 3. Refer patients who may have a physiological, psychological, and/or social problem for comprehensive patient evaluation. 4. Identify individual and population risk factors and develop strategies that promote health related quality of life. 5. Evaluate factors that can be used to promote patient adherence to disease prevention and health maintenance strategies. 6. Evaluate and utilize methods to ensure the health and safety of the patient and the Dental Hygienist in the delivery of dental hygiene. III. Community Involvement: (CI) 1. Assess the oral health needs of the community and the quality and availability of resources and services. 2. Provide screening, referral, and educational services that allow clients to access the resources of the healthcare system. 3. Provide community oral health services in a variety of settings. Page 12 of 17

13 4. Facilitate client access to oral health services by influencing individuals and/or organizations for the provision of oral healthcare. 5. Evaluate reimbursement mechanisms and their impact on the patient s access to oral healthcare. 6. Evaluate the outcomes of community based programs and plan for future activities. IV. Patient Care (PC) Assessment 1. Systematically collect, analyze, and record data on the general, oral, and psychosocial health status of a variety of patients using methods consistent with medico-legal principles. This competency includes: Select, obtain, and interpret, diagnostic information recognizing its advantages and limitations. Recognize predisposing and etiologic risk factors that require intervention to prevent disease. Obtain, review, and update a complete medical, family, social, and dental history. Recognize health conditions and medications that impact overall patient care. Identify patients at risk for a medical emergency and manage the patient in a manner that prevents an emergency. Perform a comprehensive examination using clinical, radiographic, periodontal, dental charting, and other data collection procedures to assess the patient s needs. Diagnosis 2. Use critical decision making skills to reach conclusions about the patient s dental hygiene needs based on all available assessment data. This competency includes: Determine a dental hygiene diagnosis. Identify patient/client needs and significant findings that impact the delivery of dental hygiene services. Obtain consultations as indicated. Planning 3. Collaborate with the patient, and other health professionals, to formulate a comprehensive dental hygiene plan that is patient-centered and based on current scientific evidence. This competency includes: Prioritize the care plan based on the health status and the actual and potential problems of the individual to facilitate optimal oral health. Establish a planned sequence of care (educational, clinical, and evaluation) based on the dental hygiene diagnosis; identified oral conditions; potential problems; etiologic and risk factors and available treatment modalities. Establish a collaborative relationship with the patient in the planned care to include etiology, prognosis, and treatment alternatives. Make referrals to other healthcare professionals. Obtain the patient s informed consent based on thorough case presentation. Page 13 of 17

14 Implementation 4. Provide specialized treatment that includes preventive and therapeutic services designed to achieve and maintain oral health. Assist in achieving oral health goals formulated in collaboration with the patient. This competency includes: Perform dental hygiene interventions to eliminate and/or control local etiologic factors to prevent and control caries, periodontal disease, and other oral conditions. Control pain and anxiety during treatment through the use of accepted clinical and behavioral techniques. Provide life support measures to manage medical emergencies in the patient care environment. Evaluation 5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented clinical, preventive, and educational services and modify as needed. This competency includes: Determine the outcomes of dental hygiene interventions using indices, instruments, examination techniques, and patient self-report. Evaluate the patient s satisfaction with the oral healthcare received and the oral health status achieved. Provide subsequent treatment or referrals based on evaluation findings. Develop and maintain a health maintenance program. V. Professional Growth and Development (PGD) 1. Identify career options within healthcare, industry, education and research and evaluate the feasibility of pursuing dental hygiene opportunities. 2. Develop practice management and marketing strategies to be used in the delivery of oral healthcare. 3. Access professional and social networks to pursue professional goals. Reference: American Dental Education Association, Competencies for Entry into the Allied Dental Professions, Journal of Dental Education, July Page 14 of 17

15 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Dental Hygiene Application Packet Factors Affecting Employment Employment in this field of practice has eligibility requirements beyond graduation, and may differ by state. Specific potential employers, industry groups, jurisdictions, and the latest edition of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (see are good places to start researching the specific requirements for employment in this field. Concorde Career Colleges cannot guarantee that a graduate will be able to obtain a particular certification, permit, or license or secure employment in the field upon graduation or at any time in the future, because the institution does not control those requirements. It is the student s responsibility to investigate the requirements for certification and employment before starting class to determine whether he/she will be eligible to pursue any particular employment and/or advancement in this field upon graduation. Acknowledgement of Receipt I have received a copy of Concorde Career College s Dental Hygiene Admissions Packet. I understand that it is my responsibility to read and ask questions of my Admissions Representative regarding any information that I do not understand. By signing this form I acknowledge that I received the application and agree to ask questions to clarify that which I do not understand. Applicant Name (print) Applicant Signature Date FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Admission Representative s Name (print) Signature Date Page 15 of 17

16 Make-Up Hours Acknowledgement I, acknowledge that make-up hours might occur on weekends. Signature Date Page 16 of 17

17 Online Classes Acknowledgement I, acknowledge that my program will require online classes along with use of e-books. Signature Date Page 17 of 17